RISE- Midterm external evaluator

Terms of Reference for engaging RISE- Midterm evaluator

RISE PROJECT: STRENGTHENING INCLUSION, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, BOTH VULNERABLE AND IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW.

PROJECT NUMBER: PROJECT AICS-AID012590/FADV/KEN

Organization: Fondazione L’Albero della Vita – The Tree of Life Kenya

Closing date: 3rd April 2024

The purpose of the consultancy is to carry out the mid-term external evaluation of the project: “RISE: Strengthening Inclusion, Health and Education for children and youth, both vulnerable and in conflict with the law”, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

BACK GROUND OF THE ORGANIZATION

Fondazione L’Albero della Vita – The Tree of Life Kenya is an organization registered in Kenya as Charitable Trust with the aim of ensuring the wellbeing, protection and promotion of the rights of children and their families and encouraging community development. The Tree of Life envisions a world without poverty where children can enjoy their rights; grow up in a safe environment, protected from all kinds of violence and abuse, with access to equal opportunities;

Fondazione L’Albero della Vita – The Tree of Life is leading the project:“RISE: Strengthening Inclusion, Health and Education for children and youth, both vulnerable and in conflict with the law: Funded by Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. (Code: AID 012590/01/0 ).

GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE RISE PROJECT

The “RISE” The project has an overall objective of ensuring equitable access and equal opportunities for development, education and socio-occupational inclusion to children and youth, both vulnerable and in conflict with the law in Kenya, as enshrined in SDGs 3 & 4 and in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It focuses on the role of Government institutions, educating communities and the private sector in education and care reforms

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE RISE PROJECT

To establish and strengthen formal inclusive educational services, as well as personal and professional development skills and life skills services for vulnerable children/ youth and children and youth in conflict with the law in Kenya focusing on the role of government institutions, educating communities and the private sector in education and care reforms.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT / BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The 3-year Project which begun in September 2022, is responding to the needs of children in conflict, and in contact with the law in 25 statutory institutions and 4 public primary schools.

Project Results Areas

Result 1: Strengthened structures and competencies of government institutions for the provision of inclusive, participatory, and up-to-date educational services in support of vulnerable children and children in conflict with the law (7-14), in collaboration with local stakeholders.

Result 2: Young people who are vulnerable and in conflict with the law (15-24) have access to an integrated system of vocational training, support for independent living, and economic and financial inclusion through partnerships with the public and private sectors.

Result 3: Strengthened competencies and decentralized coordination mechanisms for life skills mainstreaming and local development plans focused on the priorities of children and youth, both vulnerable and in conflict with the law.

THE PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION

The evaluation should help RISE project achieve the results intended at the end of the intervention, by identifying lessons which can be drawn at this point in time, to inform further implementation of the current and planning of the next phase. The evaluation should therefore also identify (early signs of) unintended, positive and negative, results.

Objectives of the evaluation

1. To assess the progress in implementing the RISE project in view of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, factors of sustainability and of impact.
2. To assess progress towards achievement of the Project objectives and/or yearly benchmarks, and the capacity in the remaining implementation period to achieve all targets
3. To assess if interventions are sufficient to reach desired outcomes, and whether all the activities are valuable and well aligned to meet the desired outcomes, or needs modification.
4. To identify challenges and opportunities to the achievement of objectives including working collaborations with government and non-state actors

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work will be the following:

• To carry out midterm external evaluation using qualitative assessment method (OECD DAC evaluation criteria).
• The midterm external evaluation should be carried out following the Result Based Approach, on the basis of which this proposal was structured, accounting for the achievement of the objectives of the aforementioned project.
• The consultant will present his/her methodology, which must include at least: a documentation phase; interviews; Field visits; Questionnaires; Participatory methods of data collection and analysis.
• The proposal and application of further methodologies suggested by the evaluator is encouraged.

Geographical Coverage: The evaluation will cover 29 targeted institutions located in 11 counties of Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Siaya, and Kisumu.

REPORTING

• The consultant will develop the following documents, in English:
• A provisional final report will be drafted within 15 days following the evaluation exercise, and submitted to the Tree of Life office in Nairobi.
• The final report, incorporating the comments of the Tree of Life, must be available within 15 days following receipt of the comments.
• A summary of the report, which will present the main conclusions and recommendations. The expected results, in the form of recommendations and lessons learned, must conform to the predefined objectives and be used for the presentation and sharing of the work carried out by the initiative.
• The reports table of content should document all phases of the evaluation process as below

– Preliminary phase

– Desk review and study of documentation

– Definition of information collection methods (interviews, questionnaires etc.)

– Data collection

– Data analysis, assessment of hypothesis, report preparation

– Qualitative review of report

– Dissemination and recommendations, lessons learned

• The documents attached to the report must include, in part or in full, the following information: the list of people met; the schedule of the visits and the meetings; any details of the evaluation methodology

REQUIRED EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Internationally recognized degree in relevant field.
• Similar sound consultancy experiences in carrying out final evaluation of Institutional programs: experience in project evaluations in the field of education and health is required, in particular projects funded by institutional donors.
• Experience in evaluations for projects with SDGs -Agenda 2030 targets
• Experience in designing and conducting surveys and project evaluations, as well as experience in writing reports.
• Backgrounds in research/evaluation, particularly qualitative methodology.
• Knowledge and experience in using OECD DAC evaluation criteria.
• High level of professional writing in research/evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross culturally, and with a range of stakeholders, including government.
• The consultant must be excellent in English, both speaking and writing.
• Good knowledge of participatory evaluation techniques.
• Perfect knowledge of the principles and methods of managing the project cycle.
• Previous experience in Kenya,
• Previous experience in the development cooperation sector of at least 5 years.
• At least 2 evaluations similar to the one proposed by this project would be an asset.

Reporting line: The Consultant will report directly to the Program coordinator. The Tree of Life will provide relevant background information as per need during the evaluation in the field.